DOORS SLAMMED: The Glen Aplin bin compound has shut effective immediately after asbestos was discovered. Unfortunately for Stanthorpe residents, the local waste facility is currently not accepting asbestos material either.Matthew Purcell

Dump won't accept asbestos material

A LOCAL tradie has been left with an unwanted and potentially hazardous problem on his hands after he, and his asbestos material, were turned away from the Stanthorpe waste facility.

Residents are being told to hold on to asbestos material or travel to Warwick after council confirmed it wouldn't be accepting it in Stanthorpe at the present time.

It comes after the Glen Aplin bin compound was temporarily closed following illegal asbestos dumping.

The Stanthorpe resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were turned away at the Stanthorpe waste facility earlier this week.

"I packaged it all up properly and when I got there the lady said the pit was closed and didn't know when they were getting a new pit or new bin or anything.

"I kind of query the intelligence of the person who made that decision. Where's the sense in closing the pit before they have a bin?

"I was told that I pretty much just had to hold on to it - to which I voiced my displeasure. I've got a little daughter and I don't really want it hanging around my house, even though it's properly packaged up.

"My other option, they said, was to drive it to Warwick. But every time you move it there's a chance you'll pierce one of the bags. It's not really an acceptable situation we are in," the resident said.

A Southern Downs Regional Council representative said the local waste management facility had not been taking the hazardous material since August 1.

"Until the new ACM (asbestos containing material) disposal bin is installed at the Stanthorpe facility, residents will need to transport ACM to the Warwick facility or engage a local accredited ACM contractor to collect the material and transport it to Warwick," the representative said.

"It is always recommended residents use a licensed asbestos removalist to remove asbestos from the home."

The council expects the new bin to be delivered to the Stanthorpe waste facility within six to eight weeks.